Young men and HPV

Can young men can get HPV too?

Yes. Young men are at risk. In fact, every person, man or woman, who has sex, is at risk. Most HPV infections occur in people aged 15 to 24. The earlier a person becomes sexually active, the greater the risk of getting an HPV infection. HPV affects people of all races. People who are part of homosexual relationships and anyone having oral sex can get HPV.

How HPV affects young men

The most common sign of HPV in young men is genital warts. In fact, genital warts seem to affect as many young men as young women. Some very rare cancers in young men are also linked to HPV. Up to 90% of anal cancers (more common in men having sex with men), 40 to 50% of cancers of the penis, and 10 to 20% of cancers of the mouth, head and neck are caused by HPV infection. These cancers do not usually develop until later in life.

About genital warts

Genital warts are often the only sign that someone has an HPV infection. In fact, it is the most common sign of HPV in young men. There may be one or many warts that young men can see and feel on the penis, scrotum, anus or thighs. They may look like small cauliflower. Some warts are not visible because they grow inside the anus. Although the warts are unsightly, the majority of them are painless. Sometimes they cause burning or itching.

Can genital warts be treated?

Yes, genital warts can be treated. In some cases, warts are treated at home with medicine and in others at a clinic with medicine, freezing or surgery. But no treatment can destroy the virus. When the warts are gone, it does not mean that the HPV is gone. In 1 out of every 4 cases, the warts will return within 3 months.

Once the virus enters a person’s body, it remains there. Sometimes it is latent. This means that the individual does not see or feel any signs of the virus. It may reveal itself at any time, for example, in the form of warts.

Availability of HPV testing for young men

There is currently no test available to diagnose young men with the HPV infection.

Tell your son that if he sees warts, blisters, sores, white patches or anything that seems unusual on his genital area or he feels pain, itching or burning, that he should visit a clinic or doctor’s office.

Availability of HPV vaccination for young men

Young men can be infected with HPV. In 2010, Health Canada approved HPV vaccination for young men aged 9 to 26.

Other ways to be protected

Here are some suggestions for your son to reduce the risk of getting an HPV infection:

Practice abstinence (no “below the belt” sexual activity).
Have sex with only one partner.
Always use a condom. (Remember: Condoms do not fully protect against HPV because they do not cover all areas of the skin that may be infected by the virus.)
Do not smoke. (Smoking makes the body less able to fight off HPV infection and is a factor in the development of various cancers.)

My son is not at risk because his girlfriend has had the HPV vaccination

This does not fully protect your son. Because she has been vaccinated, this young woman is more likely to be free of the HPV types prevented by the vaccine (6, 11, 16 and 18). These cause most genital warts and cancers of the cervix. But this does not mean your son is fully protected from HPV infections. If your son’s girlfriend was sexually active before she was vaccinated, she may have one of the types preventable by the vaccine. Vaccination can only prevent, not cure or treat an HPV infection.

In 2010, Health Canada approved HPV vaccination for young men aged 9 to 26. So, you can now have your son protected by having him vaccinated.

There is still a need for your son to practice safe sex as his partner can also have other STIs.